Behind Barbed Wire, Shakespeare Inspires a Cast of Young Syrians

       The article, "Behind Barbed Wire, Shakespeare Inspires a Cast of Young Syrians", written by Ben Hubbard, tells the inspiring story of how Shakespeare changed children's lives in a Syrian refugee camp. These were children whose homes had been destroyed, relatives were killed, and had faced much trauma in their lives. As the article puts it, "for the 100 children in the cast, it [the performance of King Lear] was their first brush with Shakespeare, although they were already deeply acquainted with tragedy". Overall, as I read, I found that what the author was really trying to get across to readers was a message of hope, and change. The overall main idea was that bringing culture and experience is a way to bring happiness and joy to people. This article shows that theatre can change a child's life and give them an experience and feeling that they have never been exposed to before. The article describes their new lifestyle as an "isolated,treeless camp, a place of poverty, uncertainty, and boredom". The director, Nawar Bulbul, had met children in these camps. and made a promise to return, and he did, bringing his plan to put on this production. The article describes the crowd bursting into applause at the end, with lead girls breaking into tears. These details are very moving, and show just how little these children had before theatre was brought to them, and how much positive emotion it left them with.

       The author, Ben Hubbard, clearly wants to make readers feel inspired and moved by the article. He goes into detail about the hardships the children faced before, and then describes their proud, fulfilled emotion afterward to enhance the feelings of inspiration for the readers. For example, he talks about how the parents and aid workers fear that the war in Syria threatens to create a lost generation of children, because they are so scarred by violence, and are forced to be missing years of education and experiences. He then however, introduces director Nawar Bulbul, and goes on the describe the production of King Lear itself, which suddenly brings a more comforting tone to the article. Hubbard also uses direct quotes from people living in the refugee camp, which is a move that makes the article extremely moving. He quotes Bushra al-Homeyid,13, who played one of King Lear's daughters. Her family fled Syria after government shelling killed her cousins. Bushra said that although she had never acted before, she wanted to continue. She says, "I like that I can change my personality and be someone else". For a kid to say that in the situation she is in is pretty remarkable and inspiring.

       For me, reading this article was really moving, and made me realize just how important theater and the arts really are. I take it for granted, the fact that twice a week for two period I get an intensive drama program at my school. But reading this, I realize just how amazing that is. If one play changed so many children's lives, and one play touched so many, I now realize I should appreciate the experience I have access to more. The theater culture is one that gives opportunities for children (and adults) to escape from their realities, and take on a new character. The arts really are spectacular, and seeing kids react to them the way these children did is one of the most inspiring things you can see.